↳ CHAPTER FIVE:

FRIENDLY ENEMIES ↵

❝I CAN'T PREPARE FOR DEATH ANY MORE THAN I ALREADY HAVE.❞

I WOKE UP TO A DARK ROOM THAT I WASN'T FAMILIAR WITH yet the warm body sleeping beside me was. I rustled around, turning to my side to stare at Finnick, waiting for him to wake up. It took awhile but a grown fell from his pink lips and his brow furrowed as he slowly came to. 

I smiled lightly at him as his eyes cracked open, "morning." 

"Good morning," he replied and my heart warmed at the deep scratchy morning voice he had. "It was late when we got to the Capitol so I moved you here, hope it's okay if I stayed." 

I pulled myself closer until half of my body was on top of his chest and Finnick let out a puff of air at the sudden added weight. 

"I never mind." 

It took an hour for the two of us to get ourselves up and out of the room and I cautiously walked behind Finnick as we walked to the dressing rooms before the start of the nights events. I was shocked that we spent the morning asleep but knew that time went on and it was time for the Hunger Games to begin. Now, I had to play dress up. 

I froze as a pair of people approached me and it felt like the world was as in slow motion as they came closer. I took in their dark clothing and leather jackets, both had large swords strapped to their backs, both with streaks of black paint covering their faces. 

They looked beautiful and terrifying all at once.

Instead of talking, both looked me up and down and I felt stiff, knowing my thin fragile body was no match for their bulky masses. Both smirked down at me, ignoring Finnick beside me before walking past, the girl's shoulder bumping into my own. I stumbled slightly at the sudden impact but a pair of hands held me steady. 

I blinked in confusion staring up at Finnick, "wait that was my new competition?"

Finnick stared after the retreating figures with a grim expression. "I'm afraid so."

I gulped, hugging myself. "Okay," I whispered to myself, "okay." I squared my shoulders and turned to Finnick to give him a sad smile. "I remember some of the training you gave me at home." 

"I know you do," Finnick send a smile back, pulling me into a side hug. I immediately wrapped my arms around his waist, inhaling his cologne that would reminded me of home. He was my home. 

"I-I know I'm not the best, Finnick, b-but I think I can do more than they think." I stated confidently, squaring my shoulders. 

Finnick pulled away from me, "they'll think you're an easy target– you're not. Your horrible family trained you with boxing, archery, and sword fighting." I nodded, thinking how my family did bring me this far but Finnick was really the only one I would ever need. 

"I-I need to learn about survival skills– what to eat, how to survive in different conditions." I began to ramble, pulling away from Finnick. "I-I have to learn all of this in a week!" I exclaimed loudly, throwing up my hands. 

I froze, "oh my god."

Hands grabbed me by the waist, turning me softly. I looked up at the tall frame that I grew accustomed to, taking in Finnick's broad shoulders, tan skin, and dimples. I pulled him down to me, hands on both of his cheeks. I blushed as Finnick held his breath and I just stared at him, taking in his features– how his eyes were a forest green, how his left part of his mouth had more creases from his signature smirk, and how his nose would twitch when he was frustrated. 

"I'm going to miss you," I told him softly. 

"I'm going to miss you more." Finnick pressed his lips to my forehead and my eyes fluttered shut, relishing in this moment like it was my last.

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